A Need for Shooting
After adding numerous new pieces, the Sixers are a completely different looking team following free agency. With the additions of Al Horford, Josh Richardson and some role players off the bench, the Sixers seem to only have one weakness: shooting.
In today’s NBA, efficient mid-range and three-point shooting are crucial. The Sixers will need multiple players to step up and fill the shooting void left by JJ Redick. Obviously, Tobias Harris will be relied on to score the ball in a variety of ways and both James Ennis and Mike Scott will be expected to hit three-pointers off the bench. But, within the starting lineup, there are three players who need to be able to make jump shots in order to create space for Joel Embiid to work.
Al Horford
One of the biggest question marks from Sixers fans heading into the season is how Al Horford and Joel Embiid will play together. Both are traditional centers and as Horford ages, his ability to move and cover smaller power forwards will diminish. But the simple fact is that if Al can provide spacing for Embiid, these two will gel instantly.
In order to provide Embiid with space inside, Coach Brett Brown will most likely use Horford out on the perimeter. He will play the majority of offensive possessions out around the three-point line and towards the center of the court where he will be a terrific screener and hopefully, three-point shooter.
For his career, Al is a 37% shooter from beyond the arc. And over the past four seasons, he has taken at least 3 three-point shots per game. This willingness to shoot the three and ability to make a solid percentage will be crucial for the Sixers. If Al can continue his solid three-point shooting, opposing power forwards will have to cover Horford 25 feet from the basket rather than collapsing down on Joel Embiid.
Josh Richardson
Josh Richardson’s offensive game has continued to develop over his four year NBA career. Just last season, Richardson averaged almost 17 points per game while taking a career-high 14 shots per contest.
On the Sixers, Richardson will not need to be a high volume shooter and this will bode well for his efficiency. He was arguably the best player on a mediocre Heat team last season and thus was called upon to take and create many of his own shots. As a consequence, his field goal percentage fell about 4% and his three-point percentage dipped from 38% to 36% relative to his previous season.
But now that his role has shifted from star player to complementary starter, Richardson will get more open looks. With Embiid drawing so much attention inside and Ben Simmons ability to move the ball and find open shooters, Richardson will get himself many more catch and shoot three-pointers. And on catch and shoot three-pointers last season, Richardson shot nearly 39%, well above the NBA average.
If Richardson is able to be a viable three-point shooter, the offense will continue to open up for Joel Embiid to operate. Last season, he took about 6 three-pointers per game and that number should be similar this year. With Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid likely to carry the scoring load, Richardson can focus on being a spot-up shooter, a role he has shown he can excel in.
Ben Simmons
It is starting to become a cliche, but it has to be reiterated: Ben Simmons must take jump shots this season. Whether he makes 100% or misses every single shot he takes, he simply has to shoot. The only way defenses will play Ben honestly is if he shows the confidence to pull up from 12-18 feet. We have seen him do it every once in awhile over the past two seasons, but now its time for him to fully incorporate it into his game.
Ben’s shot has been a hot topic in Philadelphia for years. Through numerous pregame jump shot videos and Tobias Harris’ recent comments about Ben’s jumper, Sixers fans are ready for him to expand his game and this team needs it.
If Ben can find a way to shoot 33% from mid-range and commit himself to take at least two or three real jump shots per game, the Sixers offense can completely expand. If Simmons is able to draw out defenders from the paint, not only will he create space for Embiid inside, but he will make defenders more vulnerable. When a defender is able to sag two or three feet away from Ben, it is easy for that defender to stay in front of him if he decides to a straight line drive. But if the defense has to come all the way out to defend Ben, he can use his size and speed advantage to get to the rim more easily.
Although the Sixers lost their best perimeter shooter from last year, there are still enough players on this roster to stretch the floor. With their size, athleticism and defense, the Sixers will be able to make up for average shooting to some degree. But if these three players are able to take and make a decent amount of jump shots, the sky’s the limit for this Sixers team.
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